Archive for March, 2009
March 31 2009: Losing My Interest
Filed under Money with 3 Comments
Failing economy. Credit crunch. Interest rates. Job loss. Unemployment. Recession. Depression.
While we’ve been living in these uncertain economic times for six months now (I date it from the September 2008 crashes), I didn’t feel the effects personally until I lost my job when the shop I worked in closed in late January. I spent two months unemployed while searching desperately for part-time work that would allow time for me to continue my postgraduate studies – a harrowing two months that really took a mental and emotional strain on me. I can’t even begin to imagine the strain unemployment would have on people struggling to support their families when I was constantly in a pit of despair despite the fact that I only had to worry about myself!
I have a job now, but what I’m now concerned about are interest rates, and its effects on my savings. The lower interest rates in Australia now are great for home owners with mortgages as they have less to pay off each month; but they’re terrible for those of us with no debts, and large savings. The below is a screencap of the activity in my serious saver account (the descendant of my term deposit account, not my normal everyday bank account!) for the past three months:
Note that I don’t touch this account at all – it exists merely for me to accumulate interest on the amount sitting in the account. In a healthy economy, the interest earned should increase each month when the balance rolls over as a result of compound interest. However in today’s economy, the interest is actually decreasing each month despite the increasing amount of money in the account. I’ve gone from earning $60 a month to earning $40 a month – a loss of a third of the original total!
I have to say, this matter of interest rates concerns me a lot more than the plight of the unemployed and those about to default on their mortgages, because it’s more immediately relevant to me. And I call myself a socialist!
March 30 2009: Creaming
Filed under Body & Uni/Work with 19 Comments
I think it’s time again for me to highlight my immaturity with a post about something that made me snigger and giggle like a ditzy teenage schoolgirl. When doing some readings for my epic assignment due next week (look Ma, I’m not procrastinating anymore!), I came across the following:
Creaming – that is, the admission to service programs of only those persons for whom successful outcomes are most likely to occur under any circumstances
You see, when I read the word “creaming”, I don’t think of a highly specificed selective process for human service programs. Instead, it makes me think of sex, and a level of arousal that is so high that one either starts producing pre-cum or starts self-lubricating, e.g. “I was so turned on, that I creamed my pants”.
I know I’m not the only one whose first instinct would be to think of something sex-related, rather than the more obscure human service term. Out of likelihood of usage, I’d actually assume a hierarchy as allows:
- Sex: I was so turned on, that I creamed my pants.
- Food: That’s a good cake, but I’ll improve it further by creaming it (e.g. slathering on a layer of cream).
- Human Services: That program has an unwritten policy of creaming for better statistical results.
Sex above food above human services, as per Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Out of curiosity, which is the more likely usage for you? Are you more inclined to think of sex, food, or human service programs when you hear the word “creaming”?
March 29 2009: Strine
Filed under Australia with 11 Comments
G’day mates. I always thought I was a true blue fairdinkum Aussie in my manner of speech (though not quite derro, ocker or bogan), but this recently discovered Aussie slang dictionary abso-bloody-lutely puts my poor efforts to shame. It’s flaming beaut, I’m well chuffed.
Time to brush up on my Strine I think, before I make tracks and shoot through to the UK. From experience, Pommy men dead cert go mad for Strine accents (reminder to self: stock up on frangers). Should perhaps also take the opportunity to go bush for some authentic damper, and learn to make some lamingtons before I call it a day here Down Under in the lucky country.
Full points to those who can comment on this entry in full blown Strine. Carn youse fellas, avago!